June 17 2012

2:15 AM

Amateur Beau Hossler continues to play like a veteran
this week at The Olympic Club.

By Mike McAllister, PGATOUR.COM

SAN FRANCISCO -- At the start of this week's U.S. Open,
17-year-old Beau Hossler just wanted to be low amateur. That
remained his goal through his first 36 holes.

But now?

"I still have the goal to be low amateur," said Hossler, who
will soon enter his senior year of high school, "but my goal now is
to win the tournament."

Asked if he thinks he can win on Sunday, Hossler replied:
"Absolutely. There's not a doubt in my mind. Got to go out there
and do everything right mentally and physically, but it's
definitely out there for me."

Hossler continues to defy the odds that suggest a teenage
amateur can't hold up under the intense pressure and rugged scoring
conditions of a U.S. Open. Hossler shot an even-par 70 on
Saturday that keeps him at 3 over for the tournament and tied for
eighth going into the final round.

He arrived at the 18th green to a standing ovation. The
Californian can expect even more cheers should he stay in
contention on Sunday.

"It's amazing," Hossler said. "I can't tell you how much I
appreciate the support from everybody out there. Not only my family
and friends from home, but all the people in the Bay Area. It's
really special."

On Saturday, the biggest key to Hossler's round was his
bounce-back ability. He immediately followed every bogey with a
birdie. He also holed a few lengthy par putts to keep his round
from unraveling.

"That's something I try to do," Hossler said about bouncing back
from bogeys. "Not always successful with it, but the key out there
is definitely staying away from the bogey train, because that can
kill you."

Although the pressure will be cranked up even higher Sunday,
amateurs have a habit of playing well here. Matt Kuchar finished
tied for 10th at the 1998 U.S. Open at the Olympic Club but he was
in college at the time.

Hossler won't get to college until the fall of 2013 when he
starts at the University of Texas.

For now, he's concentrating on going into a major championship
on Sunday with a chance to win. And if he gets to the back nine
still in the hunt?

"Obviously I'm not experienced in there, so I can't really talk
about what it's going to be like, but I know from other tournaments
that I feel pretty comfortable coming down the back nine when I'm
in contention," Hossler said. “So obviously it's a little bit
different being the U.S. Open, but I put myself in contention in
many tournaments and have come through successfully."